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Process for Authentication of Documents in the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs

So here’s the process for the Authentication of Legal Documents, currently at the time of post, required for employment or maybe travelling abroad. This process applies for common documents such as, for my case as a Licensed Professional Nurse, PRC Documents, Certificate of Training and Employment. This may also apply for other authentication as the process is somewhat similar to all other documents.

FOR PRC Credentials or Documents:

1. You must have a Certified True Copy of the original document processed by PRC (Morayta; 8am to 5pm Manila Time). The common documents required for authentication would be the photocopy of the PRC License, front and back in one page, photocopy of the Certificate of passing a.k.a Board Certificate and the Board Rating Certificate. All of which duly certified by the respective official. Process for this has been discussed on my previous post.

2. Secure a blue form for the request of authentication, (DFA Pasay: main entrance. DFA Megamall: right at the authentication counter, farthest right hall) Bring the Certified true copy to the Processing and Authentication Counter in DFA (Pasay: Enter a hall right side when facing the cashier). The personnel will duly check the documents for authenticity and completeness (which does not always happen so make sure to check yourself as I’ve been a victim of misspelled names). The Authentication counter will give you a receipt to settle with the cashier, several copies, Cashier gets the last two carbon copies, you get to have the original white copy to use as claim stub and the other blue copy will have to be handed back to the Authentication personnel you’ve been to after being paid and signed/ stamped by the Cashier (DFA Pasay: pretty obvious as its right in front of your line of sight as you enter, DFA Megamall: If I remember it right its at the second door, where the biometrics for passports are taken, where you would also see the Courier: Officially DHL (Thank God for DHL). And then the Authentication personnel will attach the blue copy of receipt and tell you when claiming of said documents will be readily available.

Expedite/ Rushed Documents: 200php per Document, One Business Day. Regular Documents: 100php per Document, Four business days. If I remembered it correctly.

I would greatly suggest that you have your documents sent to you thru DHL instead of you picking it up by going back to the DFA office where you processed it. Courier fee 150php for the first three documents then plus one business day from the original date of document release. Less hassle and the expenses would be somewhat the same if you’ll pick it up. You would’ve to give DHL (people in yellow shirts at the DHL counter) the original copy of your receipt.

PS: DFA Pasay is at Roxas Boulevard. If you pass by the street where the Pasay City Hall is, fixers would tell you DFA Authentication is at the second floor of a red building which is obviously a ploy. Do not talk to strangers. LOL

PROCESS FOR ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS: This applies mostly for Certificate of Employments, Training, etc.

1. Photocopy of the original should be duly notarized by a Lawyer, You would be given a copy of an Affidavit that you swore it is “true to your knowledge” stamped in his office and then it would’ve to be Certified by the Regional Trial Court Judge where the Lawyer who made the Notarization is located at.

So it is the lawyer who Certifies your document and stamps it with the seal of his office, attaches an Affidavit with it then The Judge Certifies that the lawyer you paid is actually credible and a legal member of the NotaryPublic affixes his own signature and another stamp of his office on another piece of paper. So after you get you copy there will be a total of about 3 sheets compiled and to be brought to DFA for Authentication.

For example in my case: I had it Certified by a lawyer in Pasay City Hall: room 203 I believe. So the RTC Judge who signs next is also from Pasay City Hall RTC. I asked an RTC Clerk and she told me you would have to have the document notarized and certified by RTC both at the same City Hall.

Total cost for each document: 150php to 200php per document for a public lawyer’s notary and around 50-70php for the RTC Certification. But that’s not what will be reflected on your receipt. You know Philippines right?

And yes!! the good news is DFA already has a consular office at SM Megamall, 7th Floor of the new Building C. From North its the first Building. From South, obviously the last different looking one. I guess. I’m poor with Geo. Processing in Megamall so far takes only 15mins to 30mins to complete. I was there at around 2pm. So the crowd would also depend on the time. Plus not a lot of people know about it yet.

219 thoughts on “Process for Authentication of Documents in the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs”

hi!im also a nurse and is already here in oman..im asking my sister to process my authentication for me..do you know if dfa requires a letter of authorization from me stating that she is doing this in my behalf?thank you very much!

Hi! I have the same concern! My cousin will process it for me, have you had yours processed with the authentication letter? I’m just wondering what king of letter this is and if you have to had ti notarized by a lawyer..

As far as I remember, Yes, it would have to be duly notarized. I don’t remember the details yet but the first step is having a hard copy of your Authorization letter allowing somebody to do legal stuff on your behalf. You can also call The office to verify.

please read through. the expected days are actually mentioned in this article, it depends how much you paid and what day you actually came in for it. my school documents sent to CHED then CHED to DFA took a week.

That’s a tough one. I believe I really can’t answer that. Its beyond my knowledge. I can’t give you a fact but I can tell you what my opinion is. Since the legal document is already “Authenticated and Verified by DFA, better not change it. There’s a huge possibility na hindi mahahalata but if DFA systems are computerized with the records, then its a big problem. City Halls doesnt pose a problem since they are really not checking on it. You better tell your friend to consult the current agency about it since they know how to fix stuff like those.

i am in need of your assistance on how to obtain a non-objection certificate from my ex-husband as i am taking my son from Philippines and stay with me in Kingdom of Bahrain. I can easily get the certificate from him but my question is how and how much time it will take to process the affidavit which needs certified and authenticated by the RTC? can you help and assist me the best thing i can do as i am planning to take my son next month.

I dont have any ideas about that matter. But regarding Affidavits, depending on the matter I guess it shouldn’t take a week depending on how busy your City is. I was able to secure an Affidavit in an hour but that’s only an Affidavit for my father to be able to claim my resignation pay.

i just came from DFA, according to the person i spoke to. There is no expiration of the “red ribboned” documents. But, it depends on what country you are applying. You should ask first the embassy of your country of choice. Should they prefer a newly red ribboned document, you dont need to go to CHED or DEpED anymore, just go to DFA and have it re-filed. Hope this helps :)

We have a different experience . My husband went to DFA last week to inquire about the expiry dates of ” red ribboned ” documents. Only the red-ribboned PRC certifications were accepted for re-filing . The DFA staff told him that the red-ribboned TOR , diploma and certificates of employment are already expired ( we got them in 2009 ) and that we would have to request for new ones. And this is giving me a big headache. Imagine the trouble I have to go through again ! Why are DFA people not consistent with their answers?

I feel sorry for your inconvenience, I had a first hand experience when it comes to processing my own legal documents. But I guess that’s part of the process itself so we have to bear with it. As per DFA telling different stories, that is actually true as some may not be fully aware of their own regulations.

Hello! I am currently here in Qatar and is trying to obtain a nurse license here. The problem is that my PRC license has already expired plus my COE is not yet “RED RIBBONED”.. How could I possibly get it done considering I am now here in Qatar? Please I need your advice. God Bless.

hello,
I´m currently in Thailand and already send my documents like the authorization of special power of attorney, copy of my degree,passport and diploma. Would like to ask if how long i takes to authenticate my degree my mum will process it from Mindanao?

you shouldve sent the original copies as well. they have rushed documents and regular processing classifications. I am only familiar about the process in Metro Manila. based on experience, documents coming from outside Manila takes more days as they would still have to send it to the main office. Im not so sure tho.

my documents were already red ribboned and already used it abroad. but I went back here in the Philippines and stayed for 3 years. now I am applying for abroad again. Are my red ribboned documents still legit? Or do I have to secure another one and did it all over again? Thanks.

Hi Ms. Tin, I’m very stress for my daughter going to Germany because she have no time to do her CFO Training her flight is on May 18, the DFA don’t accept her employment contract for authentication because they said she need to go to Germany Embassy to certify that is a valid contract, she already have a visa, notarized employment contract. You know, our DFA don’t understand what the foreign worker experience for applying that authentication. I’m here working in London that’s why I’m looking to somebody who can help me to complain about this matter. Hope you can help me, Ms. Tin.

Hi there? I’ve been looking for the application form for Authentication online but I couldn’t find any. It would save my authorized representative a lot of time looking through my information if I have it available with me to fill it all up before he goes to DFA OCA for application (By the way I think DFA OCA has transferred to a new location near SM MOA)

As far as I know, Diploma and TORs are all coming from your CHED Regional Office. Then CHED forwards it to DFA. The only thing you need to bring to your regional CHED offices are the Certified True Copies and the Original (for comparison) of your school credentials.

Hi. Thanks for your reply! Actually my school has autonomous status from CHED and they told my representative that it only requires certification from our University Registrar and we can go straight to DFA for the red ribbon.

that was good to know. so that’s what the other comment was about then. You might’ve been from the University of the Philippines then? since that’s the only school I can think of to have the Autonomous status. Just kiddin though.

every document you have will help you land a job. so yes you should have them all authenticated. as far as i know, two different documents as long as they fall under the same category can be authenticated as one.

I had my birth certificate and cenomar authenticated at DFA-manila by my mom. She only had my authorization letter (NOT notarized) and a scan of 2 I.Ds (my passport and driver’s license). She didn’t have a problem doing it. I got my documents in here in Europe in about a week after she had it processed.
My problem is the foreign embassy here needs to verify the authenticated document. And I haven’t heard of that before and I couldn’t find any info on the internet, s to how long it should take. Its been almost 2 weeks since I gave them my documents for verification and they said that they still couldnt reach the person who authenticated my document. I mean what am I supposed to do? It’s just to verify an authenticated documents. I need those documents in 2 weeks tops. Does anybody know anything about this?

Hi Tin! Thanks for this. Very helpful. Im planning to go to Dubai. Do you have idea on the authentication of college diploma and transcript of records? Some of my friends said that it should be certified by the school first then Malacanang then DFA. Is this correct. I did not see in your blog authentication from Malacanang. Thank you!

Hi! First time to process DFA authentication po. I have some queries.
1. Transcript of Records and Diploma that will be authenticated will come from school right? What I mean is, I cant use the TOR and Diploma that I recieved when I graduate?
2. I read in some blogs that if your school is a State University, your documents doesnt need to go thru CHED, is that true?
3. In some blogs also, it is being advised that instead of letting the School process your documents, it would be better/faster if you yourself will bring your certified true copies to DFA.
4. Since your saying that all documents that should be authenticated are certified true copies, can I use the COE that has been given to me by my previous employers?
5. Also, do I need to submit the original documents for authentication or just photocopy? Para po kasing may nagsasabi na binubutasan daw yun?

1. A Certified True Copy from your school is sent by your school or by you to CHED. Check school policy for the latter. CHED sends it to DFA.
2. Number Two question is tricky since I am from a Private school, not a State University. But I cant tell, you can ask CHED as they regulate everybody.
3. I haven’t heard about schools processing documents like these before since these are very tedious job to be done for free. So I’m not sure. I did mine by myself and that is why I was able to write this.
4. All documents that did not come from your school that has the power to Certify that it was a True copy needs to be Notarized by a Lawyer then Certified by the RTC Judge attesting that the Lawyer who Notarized the Document is part of their Judiciary or whatsoever.
5. DFA as far as I know only asks for Certified True Copies or Notarized copies unless its a Birth Certificate. Because yes, that’s why its called a Red-Ribbon, because they literally punch a hole where the red ribbon will go through.

My fiance who works in Abu Dhabi will be applying for Notice of Marriage and Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) in UK Embassy Abu Dhabi to be able to get married here in Philippines. UK Embassy is requiring my passport, attested birth certificate and CENOMAR. Do you know how to authenticate my passport copy? And the birth certificate and cenomar, should it be authenticated in DFA only? Or should it also be authenticated in the embassy? If yes, which embassy, UAE or UK Embassy. This is confusing because we will apply in UK Embassy but in UAE. I hope you know the answer.

Good day! I need my TOR and Diploma to be authenticated and have it red ribbon by CHED and DFA. I do not know where to start. My university has its autonomous status by CHED. Do I still need to go to CHED or I’ll go straight to DFA? How long would it take?? thankyou!

Hi, just want to inquire if there is expiration of Red Ribboned kasi 2004 pa ako nakapagpa-authenticate. I will use this in applying for Canada. Hope you can help me because I am here in Hongkong kaya medyo hassle pagpaprocess. Kindly send me an idae. Thank you.

hi good day..just want to confirm if i need my NSO BC have its certified True Copy by the NSO itself before sending it to the DFA for authentication/Red ribbon or just the the NSO BC in a yellow form?. thank you so much

hi… i want my TOR and diploma in high school authenticated by ched… but i have a problem with my tor, i studied before in SACI(formerly UDMC) and when i get my transcript they put remarks on it as COPY FOR AMA, because i get a request letter for my school AMA to have my transcript in UDMC… but i did not continue to study in AMA thats why the original transcript is still on my hand… can i go back to UDMC for certified true copies? will they honor or accept it even if they release my transcript for AMA? can i use this TOR for CHED authentication? or should i go to AMA to get another transcript?

Hi. After receiving the authenticated document from Philippine Foreign Affairs we want to send it to UAE embassy for authentication thru DHL. How long it will take? and How much it will cost? Thank you

Panu yun? I mean do I need to go to my school para kumuha ng RLE ko or sa PRC na? Hindi ba sila ang magdadala sa DFA just like the other PRC documents kung sila yung magcecertify and do I still need it to be notarized kung sa PRC naman ang magcecertify? sorry for my many inquiries. your answer will be much appreciated talaga. thanks!

Good day!~ thank you for this very informational blog. I was able to successfully process my PRC documents with your help. My ‘urgent ‘ concern though was about my School Documents. Went to the University registrar to process my papers. I told them to include my RLE but they handed back the summary of RLE and said that it is not included for CAV. So I proceeded with the process and submitted it to CHED. However I realized that as per requirements, RLE is to be included. My question is, is it possible if I can just directly have my RLE notarized then have it red ribboned by the DFA? or do I need to go back to the University and insist to have my RLE included for CAV and re process everything from the top? :( Im a bit confused on what to do. Please help. :? THank you very much!~^^

hello everyone…i’ve seen some unanswered questions on documents for embassy authentication. wanted to help out as this blog has been helpful to me and my husband too. After DFA red ribbon, foreign countries normally require authentication by their embassy here in the Philippines. The embassy of the country you are going to (not where you are now) is the one that needs to authenticate your document. The costs vary depending on the embassy. Tried UAE and Bahrain embassies here and the costs were largely different from each other. All you need to do is bring the red ribboned document and they will attach stamps and sign the red ribbon as authentication.

I did mine as a group. I had several also. But for future use just in case its better for it to be done separately though its financially inconvenient, like in my case there were coes i wanted to remove from my curriculum vitae and its a hassle as they were authenticated as one.

hi tin, want to ask, I was working here in calamba laguna, and I will be authenticating may COE from my previous company which is located also in calamba laguna, is it alright to authenticate the COE to sta. rosa RTC branch?badly need you reply.

Hello maam/sir. Ask ko lang po pano ang pag process to be red ribbon ng RLE SUMMARY, kasi po unlike sa tor and diploma is just needed to be CAV by the school registrar (for me, because I graduated in a state university) how about po sa rle summary? How can be authenticated to be ready for red ribbon? Thank you po and God bless.

Hi. I know this blog is from 1yr ago. I just wan to ask about the COE of my friend. She had it authenticated last 2013, but the duration of work stated “up to present”. She is now in Saudi. She’s concerned if she can still have her COE authenticated again but the date now is fixed, like from jan 2011-jan 2013. Would it be possible in dfa, or they will question it?

Oh sorry :) anyway, pwede ba ipresent nalang un bago without ung previous document? My previous document is with my employer, and he doesn’t want to give it to me unless i go. I needed it for another application.

You need an Authorization letter from her. If the process is still the same, you will also need it to be notarized by a lawyer then youll have to present that letter to claim someone else’s documents. Bring your valid id. But my knowledge is from 2years ago.